New underwriter hired

“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new insurance company like the one MRA formed,” said Patty Zaskowski, MRA’s new underwriter, when asked about her interest in the position. “It’s a great opportunity and an exciting challenge to be part of a company at its startup.”

Zaskowski was hired as underwriter for the newly formed Retailers Mutual Insurance Company. The position of underwriter became necessary as MRA’s workers’ compensation insurance program moved from a self-insured fund to an insurance company offering coverage to a wider array of members.

An underwriter decides, on a case-by-case basis, whether a business seeking coverage meets the company’s risk and underwriting guidelines, then determines the appropriate premium for that business, based on a number of factors, including number of employees, type of risk, loss history and safety programs.

“We were impressed with the depth of her insurance knowledge, leadership and friendliness,” said James P. Hallan, MRA president and chief operating officer, whose own background in insurance has made him instrumental in the transition process. “She will be a great addition to Michigan Retailers.”

Zaskowski, who came on board October 3, helped develop the underwriting guidelines now in use.

Zaskowski comes with a solid background for the position. For the past 10 years she was an underwriter for American Physicians Capital, working in the area of workers’ compensation and medical malpractice. Before that she was an independent insurance agent for more than 20 years.

She also has experience with professional associations, having served briefly as membership director for the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Michigan.

Zaskowski understands the world of small family-owned retailers as well. At the beginning of her career, just out of college, she worked at a Jacobson’s department store. As a teen, she worked at her family’s small chain of three pharmacies in the Grand Rapids area.

Born and raised in the Grand Rapids area, Zaskowski received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and has lived in the Lansing area since her college days. She enjoys travel, golf and sailing and volunteers at Ingham Regional Medical Center once a week.